Pearl Lauters

Mrs. Pearl Lauters of Port Washington passed away in the evening hours of Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at Harbor Campus in Port Washington. She was 99 years old.

  Pearl was born on April 9, 1925, one of nine children born to Charles and Clara (nee Meyer) Karrels.

She grew up on the family farm in the Town of Port. She attended local schools and graduated from Port Washington High School.

  On Oct. 9, 1948, Pearl was united in marriage with Melvin Lauters at St. Mary Catholic Church in Lake Church.

The couple settled on the Lauters farm in the Town of Port on Highway H. They were blessed with four children.  When they retired from farm life, Melvin and Pearl moved into a home on West Norport Drive in Port Washington, where Pearl lived until 2024, when she moved to Harbor Campus in Port.

Melvin preceded Pearl in death in 1990.

  Mrs. Lauters was a faithful member of St. John XXIII Catholic Parish and was a dedicated part of the Christian Women’s group and the funeral meal team.

Pearl was employed as a cafeteria worker with the Port Washington-Saukville School District for more than 30 years, serving lunch to students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Port Washington High School. Once she retired, she continued at the school as a volunteer until she turned 92 in 2018.

  Pearl enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning, jigsaw puzzles and baking for her family. Her chocolate chip cookies and chocolate eclairs were family favorites and will be sorely missed by her family.

  Those left to cherish her memory include sons James (Cheri) Lauters of Alabama and Ron (Beth) Lauters of Port Washington, daughter Sue (Dave) Meurer of Grafton, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Pearl is further survived by brothers Daniel (the late Ellen) and Allen (Kay) Karrels, sister-in-law Nina (the late Bob) Karrels and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, daughter Mary Lauters, sisters Alice (the late Joe) Ott, Mary Jane (the late Lawrence) Stern and Clara Jean (the late Dan) Baertlein and brothers Cyril (the late Ann) and Rollin (the late Marge) Karrels.

  A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington. Father Patrick Wendt presided over the Mass. The family greeted visitors at the church on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 5 p.m. until Mass began at 6 p.m.

Pearl was laid to rest beside her husband at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington.

  If desired, memorials are suggested in Pearl’s name to St. John XXIII Catholic Parish.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.